The US Army has announced that a $1.2 billion contract to produce six advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems (NASAMS) for Ukraine, amid its conflict with Russia, has been awarded to the defense conglomerate Raytheon.
“Work will be performed in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, with an estimated completion date of November 28, 2025 to produce six advanced systems for Ukraine,” the Department of Defense said in a statement on Wednesday.
Kiev has so far received two out of eight NASAMS units promised by Washington. The remaining systems are expected to be delivered to Ukraine once they are built.
Quick thread on US NASAMS procurement/delivery for Ukraine. I'll be going over the current timeline and what we might expect in the future. pic.twitter.com/Mut5jzP3w6
— Colby Badhwar 🇨🇦🇬🇧 (@ColbyBadhwar) November 30, 2022
Aside from the NASAMS batteries themselves, the contract includes associated equipment and spare parts, along with training and logistical support for Ukraine’s military.
It is funded as part of the so-called Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), which allows the Biden administration to procure weapons from the defense industry instead of taking them from existing US military stocks.
Ukraine has said it is in dire need of air defense systems, due to Russia’s recent large-scale missile strikes against military targets and energy infrastructure. Moscow has stepped up the pressure on Kiev since October 10, when it accused Ukraine of using “terrorist tactics” and targeting Russian infrastructure, including the strategic Crimean Bridge.
URGENT: 🇺🇸⚡️The United States has signed a $1.2 billion contract with Raytheon to purchase the NASAMS air defense system for Ukraine, the Pentagon said. pic.twitter.com/68iMsuzhhw
— NOËL 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) November 30, 2022
The Pentagon claims that the newly provided NASAMS systems have so far shown a 100% success rate in intercepting Russian missiles in Ukraine. Russia’s Defense Ministry, however, insists that after every missile barrage, all intended targets were hit.
Washington has so far been Kiev’s main backer during the conflict with Moscow, providing Vladimir Zelensky’s government with more than $19.8 billion-worth of military aid, including sophisticated hardware such as HIMARS multiple rocket launchers, M777 howitzers, and combat drones.
Read more: US likely to supply Patriot missiles to Ukraine
Russia has long been critical of weapons supplies to Ukraine by the US and its allies, saying that they only prolong the conflict and increase the risk of a direct confrontation between NATO and Moscow.
RT story with additional input by Global Village Space news desk.